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Laptop buying guide

Fujitsu Siemens Laptop Rating

Fujitsu Siemens Laptop Image
One of the cheapest on the market, but a low price often means low quality!!

Article Main Point Durability

With light use may last 2-3 years, but with heavy use will often develop faults after 1 year.

Article Main Point Problems

Spare parts can be reasonable
  • Newer models can also still have a tendency to overheat
  • Keyboards wear out quicker than other makes
  • Screens often fail (but no more than ACER)
  • Motherboards often fail once warranty finished
  • Power sockets not strong and often break
Article Main Point Support
The support is very poor

Article Main Point Website
Often easy to find drivers and support on website

Article Main Point Bottom Line
Generally these are fragile machines, but if you cant afford better try not to move it around a lot and use on flat surfaces to prevent overheating

Acer Laptop Rating

Acer Laptop Image
Often low cost – but unfortunately there are often repair problems – So if you can afford more – remember you get what you pay for.

Article Main Point Durability

Most develop some fault within 2 years.

Article Main Point Problems

Repairs are often a lot cheaper but more frequent
  • Problems with keyboard can be common
  • Screens fail quite often
  • Old Aspire models have poor hinges and break easily
  • Power sockets can break easily
  • Batteries don't last very long and might cause mouse freezing problems
Article Main Point Support
Fair support considering the price of the product

Article Main Point Website
Easy to navigate for driver downloads sometimes very slow when downloading

Article Main Point Bottom Line
ACER is possibly better than Fujitsu Siemens but for heavy usage we would recommend investing in a better make. Extensa is a better model than Aspire

Sony Laptop Rating

Sony Laptop Image
Screen picture quality is the best on the market. Generally the most expensive laptop (but not always the best). Currently the brand still sells well but who can tell what the future will bring!

Article Main Point Durability

For the price paid one expects more durability. Power sockets hardly ever break or loosen. Repairs are generally easy to do.

Article Main Point Problems

Easy to repair but difficult to find spare parts, which are usually costly.Many of these problems are for older (2007) models
  • The motherboard fails frequently – especially if dropped
  • Batteries can cause charging circuit board failures
  • Keyboard failures
Article Main Point Support
Difficult to get through to support via phone and often not that helpful. Most of the time need to send machine back for repair

Article Main Point Website
Easy to navigate but is frequently slow in loading

Article Main Point Bottom Line
Suggest purchasing longer warranty. Try to avoid models earlier than 2008 as they are less durable.

Toshiba Laptop Rating

Toshiba Laptop Image
Toshiba has enjoyed the industry’s respect, but in the past 5 months, We have seen an increase in number of repairs in our computer repair business.

Article Main Point Durability

Generally well built with very strong casings.

Article Main Point Problems

Often difficult to diagnose and repair
  • Recent battery charging faults (some 2007 models)
  • Motherboard to screen connection issues (screens remaining very dark)
Article Main Point Support
Support is superb. With good answering times and technical knowledge

Article Main Point Website
Difficult to navigate and need to follow directions explicitly when installing drivers or some devices may not work

Article Main Point Bottom Line
For the same price you can get a better Dell laptop, although some of the latest model’s offer unbeatable lightness and compact size

HP Laptop Rating

HP Laptop Image
Some of the older models lack style but currently we think they are producing some of the best looking laptops in the market!

Article Main Point Durability

All old models from the NC range (2 years ago) are good, even lasting longer than newer models.

Article Main Point Problems

Different series have had various problems requiring repair or redesign. Repair parts from website can be costly
  • Pavilion models frequently suffer graphics card failure
  • Screen switch in some series malfunction but HP have changed the design of the newer 2008 models
Article Main Point Support
HP has acknowledged problems with Pavilion and will repair these laptops for free even if warranty has elapsed – way to go HP!!

Article Main Point Website
Support website is easy to navigate but modeling numbering can be confusing. It is easy to get lost on the spare parts website (www.partsurfer.hp.com)
Article Main Point Bottom Line
Avoid buying HP with Nvidia card at any cost as they all fail

Dell Laptop Rating

Dell Laptop Image
Solid laptops built with quality parts. Better than equivalent ACER, Fujitsu Seimens, Toshiba or Sony laptops. Online purchases can be customised to your specification and style

Article Main Point Durability

Excellent – especially the Latitude models

Article Main Point Problems

Repairs are infrequent and are usually caused by physical damage or spillage. Spare parts are easy to find and generally not costly
  • Nvidia graphics card on XPS models tend to overheat and cause motherboard failure
Article Main Point Support
Support is very good with live chat for warranty machines. Spare parts are usually next day service.

Article Main Point Website
Easy to navigate with open forum for troubleshooting problems.

Article Main Point Bottom Line
Vostro Business Series – the ultimate choice for business people. Refurbished Dell Latitude D600 or Inspiron 6400 are excellent choices.
Posted: July 7, 2011